Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-04-09
BIG BIRDS OF THE DESERT.
HUNTING THAT COMBINES PROFIT
WITH PLEASURE.
How the Arabs Capture Ostriches-
A Singular Bird Possessed of a
Remarkable Annette.

With the Arabs of the desert the chase
and capture of the ostrich is the most at
tractive and aristocratic of the many
diversions in which they indulge. The
first thing attended to when hunt is con-
templated is the preparation of the horses.
They are entirely deprived of grass, and
fed on barley for seven or eight days be-
fore the intended hunt. They are allowed
to drink only once day, and that at sun
set; at that time they are also washed.
They take long exercises, and great at
tention is given to the arrangement of the
harness. The Arab says that after seven
or eight days the stomach of the horse dis
appears, while the chest, the breast and
Group remain in flesh. The animal is
then in condition to endure fatigue. This
training is called teehaha. The harness
used in this hunting is much lighter than
that in ordinary use, especially the saddle
and the stirrups, and the martingale is
dispensed with. The bride also under-
goes many changes, the mounting and
earfaps being taken away, as they are con-
sidered too heavy. The bit and frontlet
are made of rope, without throatband, and
the reins, though very strong, are extreme
~ light. The time most favorable for
ostrich hunting lie when there is the great
est heat. The higher the temperature the
less is the ostrich able to defend itself.
The Arab says that when man stands
upright, and his shadow is only the length
OF his foot, that is the exact time to hunt.
Each horseman is accompanied by SER
want, called zemmal He is mounted on
q camel carrying four goat skins filed
with water, and. barley for the horses,
wheat -four for the rider, some dates,
kettle in which to cook the food, and
everything which can possibly be required
for the repairing of theharness in case of
accident. The horsemaA wears linen
vest and trousers, and covers his neck and
ears with light material called havuli,
which is tied with strap of camel's hide
His feet are protected by sandals and his
legs by light CATERS, called -trabag. He
has neither gun nor pistol, his. only
weapon being wild olive or tamarind
stick, five or six feet long, with a heavy
knob at one end.
Before starting of, the hunters ascer-
tain where large number Of ostriches
are to be found. They are generally met
with in places where there is great'deal
Of grass, and rain has recently fallen. The
hunters generally commence their Jour
ney early in the morning. After one or
two days travelling, when they have
arrived near the desired spot, and they
begin to see traces of their game, they
halt and camp. After settling, two in
telligent slaves are sent out to reconnoit-
err. They carry a goat-skin at their side
and little bread. They walk on until
they find the ostriches, which are gener-
ally on level places. As soon as the same
is in view, one lies down to watch, and
the other returns to convey the informa-
ton to the camp.
The birds are found in troops, consist
ing often of as many as sixty. The horse
men, guided by the scout, travel cautious
ly toward the game. The nearer they ap-
proach the spot the greater is their eau
ton, and when they reach the last ridge
which hides them from the ostriches, they
dismount and creep forward to ascertain
whether the birds are still there. If such
is the case, moderate quantity Of water
is given to the horses, and each man
mounts again and proceeds. The servants
and camels follow little distance be-
hind, carrying with them corn and
water.
The horsemen divide and form circle
round the ostriches at such distance as
not to be noticed by them. The servants
halt when the horsemen separate, and as
soon as they see their masters in position,
they walk right before their prey. The
ostriches flee, but are met by the hunters,
who at first only drive them back into
the circle. They are made to run around in
the ring, and in this way their strength
is exhausted. At the first sign of fatigue
in the birds the horsemen dash in
and the exhausted birds open their
wings, which is sign of great
exhaustion, and the hunter now
feeling sure of his prey, selects his bird
and runs it down and finishes it by blow
on the head with the olive stick. The
moment the bird falls.the man quickly
dismounts and cuts its throat, taking
care to hold the head at some distance
from thebody, 80 as not to soil the plum
age It'is.said the male bird utters loud
means while dying, but the female lies in
silence. When THE ostrich is on the
point Of being taken by the hunter, if he
does n6ta:wish to kill it, he can easily
drive it with the stick to.where the camel
is, it is in such an exhausted condition.
After the birds arc bled to death they are
! carefully. skinned, SO that the feathers
may not become injured, and the skin is
stretched upon tree or a horse, and ealt
is well rubbed into it. Then fire is
built and.the fat Of the bird is boiled for
a long time. When If. is very liquid it is
poured into bottles made, Of the skin of
the thigh and leg; and strongly fastened
at the bottom. The fat Of the bird is
generally efficient 70 fl1, two of these
Eases, and'it is said the fat would spoil
in any other vessel. After the. frying-out
process the flesh is prepared. and eaten by
the hunters, who dress itwell with pep
per and -four. >. 81
While all this is going on the horses
are. carefully tended, watered and well
fed with corn, and the party remain quiet
for forty-eight hours 10 rest the. animals.
After that they return to the camp or
seek more game.
To the Arab the chase Of the ostrich
has double attraction--that of pleasure
and of uroff, The price obtained for fhe